Can I get back expired US miles if I'm an active AA member?
Jan 21, 2014, 11:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,110
Can I get back expired US miles if I'm an active AA member?
I had 63K US miles expire (I know, I know...). I can pay a $250 fee to reactivate them.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
Jan 21, 2014, 12:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Ex Plat, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 54
I had 63K US miles expire (I know, I know...). I can pay a $250 fee to reactivate them.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
2.) I don't know how awards are priced on US because I've never been a member, but under the new AA the miles will be interchangeable so the answer is yes. 63K miles can get you a roundtrip to almost anywhere AA flies.
Jan 21, 2014, 6:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
I had 63K US miles expire (I know, I know...). I can pay a $250 fee to reactivate them.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
I have an AA credit card, so lots of activity on AA account.
1. Is there a way to get my 63K miles back without paying a $250 fee?
2. Is it worth is to get the miles back now that AA and US have merged? I searched FT just now, but am still unclear on the exact ins and outs of mileage consolidation and use.
I can't remember the last time I flew US, but now that might change...
Thanks for tips, pointers and general thoughts/advice.
In my opinion, 63k miles (= 1 RT to Europe with 3k miles left over) are worth more than $250. But that's for you to judge, depending on what you wish to do with your miles.
Jan 22, 2014, 12:06 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 1,200
I let 40K US Air miles expire a few years ago. All the reactivation windows have passed so the miles are completely gone. I'm still going to merge my accounts whenever the option becomes available in case there's a computer error that puts them back in, but I'm guessing that's very very unlikely.
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
Jan 22, 2014, 11:09 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
I let 40K US Air miles expire a few years ago. All the reactivation windows have passed so the miles are completely gone. I'm still going to merge my accounts whenever the option becomes available in case there's a computer error that puts them back in, but I'm guessing that's very very unlikely.
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
whodda thunk way back when I did the one trip on US that they'd take over AA
Jan 22, 2014, 11:26 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PSP
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, United
Posts: 1,081
I let 40K US Air miles expire a few years ago. All the reactivation windows have passed so the miles are completely gone. I'm still going to merge my accounts whenever the option becomes available in case there's a computer error that puts them back in, but I'm guessing that's very very unlikely.
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
Lesson learned, just because I knew I would never again fly US Air didn't mean it wouldn't merge with my airline of choice...
Jan 23, 2014, 12:50 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Delta Sky Miles Diamond, Alaska 75K, SPG Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond Elite
Posts: 16
So similar thing, except I've been buying magazines and all sorts of hijinks to keep my miles active through the years. I tried to give them to a friend/family member, but they were charging roughly $200 to GIVE AWAY 40k miles. I tried to give it to some military folk, but they didn't know how. They refused to keep the miles active unless something was purchased so I ended up getting fed up and just giving the stupid miles away to Make-A-Wish.
This is just a stupid policy. /rant
This is just a stupid policy. /rant
Jan 23, 2014, 6:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 310
I had more than 400K US Air Dividend miles (I was CP years ago). The miles expired because I have not flown US in years. Once the merger was announced last year, I called US customer service to see if I can get the miles reinstated. Yes, but for a fee of several thousand dollars ($4000 IIRC). I didn't do it as I am 4million plus on AA. But those expired US miles would've gotten me closer to 5 million once both programs merge.
Jan 24, 2014, 12:22 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 대한민국 (South Korea) - ex-PVG (上海)
Programs: UA MM / LT Gold (LT UC), DL SM, AA PLT (AC), OZ, KE; GE and Korean SES (like GE); Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,995
I had more than 400K US Air Dividend miles (I was CP years ago). The miles expired because I have not flown US in years. Once the merger was announced last year, I called US customer service to see if I can get the miles reinstated. Yes, but for a fee of several thousand dollars ($4000 IIRC).
Wow! Made 600 posts!
Last edited by relangford; Mar 6, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Jan 24, 2014, 12:34 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
I understand them not wanting to keep accounts on the books that have been inactive and have under 50k miles in them.. but imop anything over 50k they should have a better system of reactivation.
Ive had several orphan accounts with a few miles in them that was to much to keep track of so i just let them go.
Ive had several orphan accounts with a few miles in them that was to much to keep track of so i just let them go.
Mar 6, 2014, 2:26 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,110
applying for a credit card?
Seems like I can get the miles back if I apply for a US credit card:
http://www.mostmiles.com/us_airways/?campaignId=1894
If I do that, will I get my 63K miles AND the 30K miles bonus?
Seems like a better deal to spend $89 annual fee and get 93K miles, rather than paying $250 to get 63K miles.
Any catches or gotchas, o wise ones?
http://www.mostmiles.com/us_airways/?campaignId=1894
If I do that, will I get my 63K miles AND the 30K miles bonus?
Seems like a better deal to spend $89 annual fee and get 93K miles, rather than paying $250 to get 63K miles.
Any catches or gotchas, o wise ones?
Mar 6, 2014, 3:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Seems like I can get the miles back if I apply for a US credit card:
http://www.mostmiles.com/us_airways/?campaignId=1894
If I do that, will I get my 63K miles AND the 30K miles bonus?
Seems like a better deal to spend $89 annual fee and get 93K miles, rather than paying $250 to get 63K miles.
Any catches or gotchas, o wise ones?
http://www.mostmiles.com/us_airways/?campaignId=1894
If I do that, will I get my 63K miles AND the 30K miles bonus?
Seems like a better deal to spend $89 annual fee and get 93K miles, rather than paying $250 to get 63K miles.
Any catches or gotchas, o wise ones?
You could also try the 30k + no annual fee, but its a YMMV situation if you aren't already a US preferred member. Read the WIKI for details.http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...sary-wiki.html
Jan 25, 2015, 1:47 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chicago Illinois
Programs: 1MM UA
Posts: 1,753
A related issue is getting US flight miles to count toward MM, even if
the miles themselves have expired.
Even though I've flow US Air a number of times, since US joined the Star
Alliance, I credited them toward United. The last times my family
had credits on the US FF program were April 2002, June 2001 and January 2006. I tried to merge the US and AA numbers. I found that I could do
this for the 2006 account (after updating the email to make it match) but
not the other two.
If anyone finds that they will reinstate an old account (without miles
that expired) for the MM total, please post.
the miles themselves have expired.
Even though I've flow US Air a number of times, since US joined the Star
Alliance, I credited them toward United. The last times my family
had credits on the US FF program were April 2002, June 2001 and January 2006. I tried to merge the US and AA numbers. I found that I could do
this for the 2006 account (after updating the email to make it match) but
not the other two.
If anyone finds that they will reinstate an old account (without miles
that expired) for the MM total, please post.
Jan 25, 2015, 5:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Dear OP: You beat me to the punch but, yes, getting the US Air Barclays credit card for $89 is the answer. Your miles get restored after the first statement cycle and you get, as you say, another 50K miles besides.
The card also comes, still, with a 2015 companion pass that's good for two companions at $99 for lower-48 flights on pure US metal. The actual cost, after taxes & fees, is more like $140, but this is a great deal.
I got my 3K forfeited miles back and saved another $700 or so with the pass. As you can tell, I'm kind of a fan.
The card also comes, still, with a 2015 companion pass that's good for two companions at $99 for lower-48 flights on pure US metal. The actual cost, after taxes & fees, is more like $140, but this is a great deal.
I got my 3K forfeited miles back and saved another $700 or so with the pass. As you can tell, I'm kind of a fan.